I can't help but think if the C7 were a Lambo design everyone would be creaming over it. Both Lambo and Ferrari have some styling cues that are more about form than function.

That's what I was thinking.

On another note, does anybody subscribe to Automobile magazine? There's some interesting notes in it, written by a former Corvette designer, (Robert Cumberford), who candidly points out how many design cues on early vettes were lifted from other cars. Somebody here did a comparison between the C7 and the 599, and yeah, it has some 599 in it, but that's no reason not to like the C7, unless your one of the snobby wine + cheese set.

I'm not, and would be happy to add a C7 to my blue-collar stable. I have seen more exciting rear ends, (but those were attached to two legs!)

Say it with me- "Brawdos' got electrolytes!" That's it.....
Good consumer, good consumer...Now wag your tail and go buy some more Brawndo.

But I'll say it again, (talking to my imaginary audience here) we like things based primarily on emotion, more than science. The human being is emotional, more so than it is rational. Our heart is the engine of our decision making, and our brains are often just the cabose. (Look who you got married to)

Here is an example in regards to cars: If you were strictly rational, and did not make purchasing decisions based on emotions, then when you shop for a car, you'd buy some "Point A to Point B" vehicle, good on gas, supremely safe, that is basically just a transportation appliance. Obviously, we don't use our brains when we shop for a car. Most of us want something exciting, if we can afford it.

What we REALLY do subconsiously when we buy a car is this-
"Wow, that car is sexy! Chicks dig it! I can beat my neighbor's brand "X" car with this baby, oh yeah!"

Then, to appease the rational part of your brain, or sell it to your wife, we follow up with this crap-
"It's really not too bad on gas, it's actually a good value for the money, it's got a decent crash rating, blah, blah, blah"

You weren't attracted to the car for it's miserly fuel usage, nor it's great safety record, nope. That's just the sh*t we sell ourselves (or others) on to justify the purchase.

We initially wanted the car for it's visual emotional whallop. If you haven't realized this about yourself, you haven't been honest! It struck us in the gut when we first saw it, and we were hooked then, at that point. The science of vents had NOTHING to do with it. Thoughts of rational reasons to buy the car come AFTER we already want it. That "want it" feeling is based on the way it looks, primarily.

The point of all this is just to say, that no matter if a particular vent is fluidic, or if it's got electrolytes, etc, it doesn't really matter to me, essentially.The C7 reminds me of a fighter jet, and I want one! The fact that it's efficient, is a great performer, has great seats, lots of fantastic features, the various vents have real functions, it gets decent gas mileage, etc, is just gravy that seals the deal. The sale was already made, before I knew all that stuff.

Some people have a tendency to fall alseep when I am examining a subject in great depth, which is a shame, since they are missing out on my sterling wit, and endless intellect. (!)

So those who prefer a short and sweet shot from the hip, the short verion of this post is,

As I mentioned on another thread, Bennion confirmed to Car & Driver that there were no clinics on the exterior design - they were not interested in the opinions of Corvette Loyalists.

During the design development of both the C5 and the C6, there were many clinics on exterior design and the opinions voiced impacted the final result of both.

Longtimer,
I wish I was in one of those clinics! When the C6 was coming out, I was actually hoping it would be pretty retro, like the C2. I had heard hints of that before the C6s' release, but the resemblence turned out to be way remote.

An example of a REALLY retro design that works quite well, was Ford's 2005 "xerox" of the GT40 from the early 60s. That kcked ass! Too bad I couldn't get a new one of those. There' s a special space in my heart for that iconic body shape.

I guess I either like really retro designs, or way modern designs, but the in-between stuff is weak sauce. Do you think a tame, conservative "C6.5" would maintain Corvettes' status as an American icon? I don't know myself....I do know they need sales to be in the 30-40 thousand units yearly, for a healthy business model. Either that, or have an expensive boutique car for an elite few.

Longtimer,
I wish I was in one of those clinics! When the C6 was coming out, I was actually hoping it would be pretty retro, like the C2. I had heard hints of that before the C6s' release, but the resemblence turned out to be way remote.

An example of a REALLY retro design that works quite well, was Ford's 2005 "xerox" of the GT40 from the early 60s. That kcked ass! Too bad I couldn't get a new one of those. There' s a special space in my heart for that iconic body shape.

I guess I either like really retro designs, or way modern designs, but the in-between stuff is weak sauce. Do you think a tame, conservative "C6.5" would maintain Corvettes' status as an American icon? I don't know myself....I do know they need sales to be in the 30-40 thousand units yearly, for a healthy business model. Either that, or have an expensive boutique car for an elite few.

it is interesting that Corvette was never retro, didn't really play its iconic C2 C3 cards yet. and probably never will.
another thing is that although the C7 is no big deal in design, but suddenly all the others look dated. and beautiful or not GM nailed this. this is exactly what the competition needed. we might hate it, we might love it but this will do the job. if the GTR looks conservative or the latest Ferraris then the Vette is perfect. I wonder how long will this design look fresh. (beautiful or not). The only issue is that I can already see signs of "weaknesses" in the interior. It looks a bit too busy. Corvette should take notes from LFA and the new NSX. IMHO those two have the best interior design yet. But then again I might be wrong.

Frankly I'm glad they decided to make some changes to the design rather than just opt for another refinement like Porsche does. There are certainly merits to both policies, but it's rather late in the game for Corvette to adopt the Porsche approach.

If by retro, you mean a Mustang / VW bug type of retro, I'm glad they didn't go down that road. There are some outstanding aftermarket outfits that make some beautiful (and some not) conversions of late model vettes into various 50's and 60's designs with various degrees of coolness.

I'm not a fiend for the Transformers Stingray, but at least it is a forward looking, sleek design in most respects. Some think that concept was a good blend of retro and future. Unfortunately, it was not very aerodynamic or even practical as a production car.

IMO the Vette team gets an "A" for deciding to make a big change. Unfortunately, IMO, their design decisions and execution gets a D- from me.

I too wanted a more revolutionary rework of the corvette icon, but with some omage to the past with some classical styling cues, but with some creativity... like..
hideaway headlamps - (not pop-ups !) creativity here
Spit window or at least a hint of it.
roundish rear lamps, but with light pipes like caddy CTS does it
clamshell hoods -
some wow and gotta have it factor.

If by retro, you mean a Mustang / VW bug type of retro, I'm glad they didn't go down that road. There are some outstanding aftermarket outfits that make some beautiful (and some not) conversions of late model vettes into various 50's and 60's designs with various degrees of coolness.

If you want retro, buy an old car (the real thing). All of these "conversions" are like a professional athlete in Joan Rivers body.

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